Admin Jaap Posted October 15, 2008 Author Posted October 15, 2008 Anton, I know, but this topic is about ugly bikes, not about if they are reliable and/or practical
mike wilson Posted October 23, 2008 Posted October 23, 2008 BMW K1 (The only street bike ever designed for aerodynamics instead of looks) Not. The vilified Vincent Black Prince bodywork was empirically designed for aerodynamic weather protection.
gstallons Posted October 23, 2008 Posted October 23, 2008 And the K1 looked like Venus de Milos compared to the Vincent Black Prince. Where do these guys get off designing this mess? You wold think they would get an outside opinion before throwing money and their reputation as designers off the cliff! p.s. As progressive as BMW prides themselves on cutting edge technology,design,etc. I have seen only one new bike I would want in my posession, the F800. The rest looks like someone was pi**ed off and wanted to sell the ugliest designs possible to the Co.
Dan M Posted October 23, 2008 Posted October 23, 2008 A couple that have missed the list. For a classic, never has any manufacturer taken something so good as Norton did with the Commando Roadster and made it so bad with the "High Rider" A short lived modern exercise in ugliness is BMW's cyclops the R1200ST.
Steve G. Posted October 23, 2008 Posted October 23, 2008 Not. The vilified Vincent Black Prince bodywork was empirically designed for aerodynamic weather protection. As noted, and sought after as the Prince is now, at the time it was panned by the press, and buying public.
Steve G. Posted October 23, 2008 Posted October 23, 2008 I guess this just shows beauty is in the beholder. From the lists here I've owned: Yamaha XV920RH (Virago variant AKA the Yama-cati) BMW K75 S (I still think a very pretty bike) BMW R100R (OK, ugly but a great bike) I consider exceptionally good looking: Ducati Passo (Set trends that changed motorcycle styling) BMW K1 (The only street bike ever designed for aerodynamics instead of looks) K100RS (one of the most beautiful bikes ever released, especially in Madison Silver) Everybody's got an opinion, Lex The BMW K1 is for sure a "function first" -- "form be damded" dseign. Not the first, or last. The Suzuki Hyabusa's shape is hugely built around aerodynamics. Where BMW went a step further was with the garish use of colors.
Steve G. Posted October 23, 2008 Posted October 23, 2008 A couple that have missed the list. For a classic, never has any manufacturer taken something so good as Norton did with the Commando Roadster and made it so bad with the "High Rider" A short lived modern exercise in ugliness is BMW's cyclops the R1200ST. Luckily with the Highrider, this can be recified easily. Serial numbers in Commando production did not designate model, so a quick change of seat, tank, and rear grab bar could restore your sorry ass Highrider to it's rightfull place as one of the most iconic bikes ever made. The new 1200ST Beemer, yes, it fell out of the ugly tree hard!
ferguzzi Posted October 25, 2008 Posted October 25, 2008 suzuki gsxf750. ugh. might even be called a katana in some parts of the world. sob. ducati multistrada. honda deouville. yeah, I know that,s not how you spell it. american virago thing(920?). kawazaki z1300. any full faired goldwing. basically any bmw from 73-79. sorry, too hung over, run out of ideas!
ferguzzi Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 no,wait , just thought of another one. Mz 250. hello from lagos, nigeria. God, the things you think about when you can't leave a hotel!
gavo Posted October 29, 2008 Posted October 29, 2008 most harley's most BMW's ( maybe all) new buell 1125 yamaha virago honda dohville ducati multistrada motoguzzi breva ural honda leadwing new triumph rocket 3 In random order
tmcafe Posted October 29, 2008 Posted October 29, 2008 Anybody mention Honda Rune? And (don't tell the F650 folks ), the "funduro": How about this one (well, maybe not, there's something cool/playful about it): Also IMO, any chopper-like cruiser with ape hangers (not to mention tassels).
Dan M Posted October 30, 2008 Posted October 30, 2008 How about this one (well, maybe not, there's something cool/playful about it): KTM missed the mark on that one but not by much. Get rid of the "big bird" beak and the Peterbilt smoke stacks and it wouldn't be too bad.
tmcafe Posted October 30, 2008 Posted October 30, 2008 KTM missed the mark on that one but not by much. Get rid of the "big bird" beak and the Peterbilt smoke stacks and it wouldn't be too bad.The "Peterbilt smoke stacks" supposedly come from their Dakar bikes where they must have had some rationale, though not sure I can figure it. The "beak" makes no sense.OTOH, the new Duke looks very sexy IMO, at least from the pics.
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